Review: Royal Marriage Market by Heather Lyons

Title: Royal Marriage Market
By: Heather Lyons
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
The BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Every decade, the world’s monarchs and their heirs secretly convene to discuss global politics and social issues—and arrange marriages between kingdoms.

Elsa may be the Hereditary Princess of Vattenguldia, but she finds the entire situation archaic and unsavory. While she wants what's best for her country, she isn't about to jump into an unwanted relationship—let alone a marriage—with a virtual stranger. Of course, her feelings matter little to her parents, whose wheeling and dealings over trade pacts and alliances achieved at her expense begin the moment they set foot in California for the Summit. So when a blindingly handsome royal runs into her, she doesn't hesitate to tell him there's no way she's marrying him.

Christian is all too happy to agree: no marriage. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of Aiboland, his main goal is to get through the summit without a bride being foisted on him. Which is why he suggests they help each other field potential intendeds. As Christian slowly gets to know Elsa, though, he realizes they have a lot more in common than just their feelings about the Royal Marriage Market. Only he can't fall for her, because royal or not, they're not meant for each other.

Elsa and Christian will have to evaluate matters of the heart verses those of state and crown, and decide whether or not tradition trumps love.

I’m going to admit that RMM took me a while to get into.  First of all, the introductions needed to be made and some background explained.  It felt like this took some time and then came the moment that Elsa and Christian met.  Well, maybe not the first moment they met since it wasn’t sunshine happiness but they quickly grew on each other and me. 

The chapters are filled with stolen moments and 3 AM firsts between these two characters.  You quickly learn just who Elsa and Christian are, how dedicated they are to their countries, how perfect they are for each other, and how they can never be with each other.  It is heartbreaking to read how their parents push them away from each other and into the arms of others for the sake of their countries and their selfish reasons.  The more time I spent reading the pages where Elsa and Christian were present, the more my heart started to flutter. 

The writing was Heather Lyons all the way.  I always find her books written well, engaging, and sophisticated.